Two Heart Programs Qualify for 2026 NAIA Women’s Bowling Championship

The NAIA has announced the 12-team field for the 2026 NAIA Women's Bowling National Championship, set for March 19–21 at Royal Scot Lanes in Lansing, Mich. The Heart of America Athletic Conference will be represented by two programs: automatic qualifier Mount Mercy University and at-large selection William Penn University. 

The 2026 championship debuts a refreshed format, with 12 seeded teams divided into two six-team, double-elimination brackets competing in mega-match style play. The winners of each bracket will advance to the championship mega-match on Saturday, March 21 at 2:30 p.m. ET. 

Fans will have expanded viewing options this year. For the first time, every match will air live with lane-by-lane coverage on BowlTV. A centralized broadcast will also simulcast on the Urban Edge Network and the NAIA Network. 

Mount Mercy secured the Heart's automatic berth after capturing the 2026 Heart Women's Bowling Conference Championship — the first conference title in program history. The Mustangs enter nationals following a dominant postseason run and will look to carry that momentum into Lansing. 

William Penn earned one of six at-large selections, marking the program's sixth national bid in its history. The Statesmen were seeded No. 8 in this year's bracket and will aim to improve upon last season's fifth-place finish. 

With two teams in the 12-team field, the Heart Conference will once again have a strong presence on the national stage as the chase for the Red Banner begins in Lansing.